Softball extends win streak to nine games

Bret Pallotto
Sports Editor
bmp6070@lhup.edu

Conference games have yet to begin for the Lock Haven University softball team and head coach Kelly Shannon’s team already has more wins in 2016 than they did in 2015.

The team will enter Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) play with a nine game winning streak that dates back to March 9.

Freshman Bekah Slattery and junior Rachel Mouillesseaux have been fantastic for the Bald Eagles during the winning streak. Over the course of the season, Slattery has tossed a PSAC-high 81 innings and Mouillesseaux is right behind her at 75.1 innings pitched. They also sit one-two in terms of wins with Slattery recording nine and Mouillesseaux with eight of her own. Their names can also be found at the top of the strikeout leaderboard as Slattery is first with 69 punchouts and Mouillesseaux is fourth with 52.

It should be no surprise that the winning streak has coincided with dominating performances from the duo. Over this stretch, Slattery has pitched to the tune of a 1.21 ERA in 37.1 innings while Mouillesseaux has a 1.90 ERA in 23.2 innings.

Slattery, who was named Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II National Pitcher of the Week earlier this season, had a stretch of 29.1 innings where she allowed just one run en route to three straight complete-game shutouts.

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“Last week was a successful one for me and the team. I credit my team for having my back every game and wanting to win as bad as badly as I do,” said Slattery after winning the award. “We have worked hard this offseason to improve our team in all areas and I believe we have the tools to be successful this season.”

The lefty from Daniel Boone High School was named the Player of the Year by the Pennsylvania High School Softball Coaches Association and has lived up to the billing early in her Lock Haven career.

The pitching performances from Slattery and Mouillesseaux would be moot if it were not for the offense that is lead by a trio of juniors in McKenna Garlock, Jodi Weaknecht and Michelle Holweger. These three have combined for 49 of the team’s 92 RBI’s, which is 53 percent of the production.

Weaknecht, who hit three home runs in 123 at-bats last season, has four home runs in her first 75 at-bats this season.

Garlock, an All-PSAC performer last year, currently has a batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage that is higher than last year. She already has/is on pace, to surpass her totals in runs, RBIs, stolen bases, walks and has a lower strikeout rate.

The team will open PSAC play today, March 24 at Indiana (Pa.) before returning home to play Mansfield the following day at 1:00p.m. and 3:00p.m.